Tag Archives: medical certificate

Following a review by WorkCover WA, the workers’ compensation medical certificates have been revised and come into effect on 1 July 2014. They will now be known as Certificates of Capacity and replace the existing First, Progress and Final medical certificates currently used in WA.

WorkCover WA’s bulletin advises their intent is:

The certificates of capacity support the principle that work helps recovery. In general, work is beneficial to health and important for recovery. The certificates of capacity:

Assist GPs to focus on what the worker can do to remain in or return to work as soon as possible

Optimise the communication of information essential to support the worker’s recovery

Help GPs to articulate the worker’s progress and ongoing needs, assisting insurers to make informed decisions about the worker’s claim for workers’ compensation

Our view is no matter the format of the Certificates, the key elements remain:

Clear diagnosis

Best and timely treatment

Detailed capacity for work

Understanding by the doctor the availability of alternative or restricted duties if the injured employee has reduced capacity for work